Main Content

Sherman Oaks

Sherman Oaks can be found in the San Fernando Valley at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains on the “other side of the Hill” just north of Bel Air. Sherman Oaks is the bigger more diverse cousin of Studio City to the east. Great schools play an important role in this area making it home to top rated schools such as Dixie Canyon & Kester Avenue Elementary, Notre Dame High School and private schools such as The Buckley School. From the boundary line at Studio City as you run west along Ventura Boulevard towards the 405 Freeway, commercial store fronts and larger shopping centers become evident with the peak being Sepulveda Boulevard and the 405. Here you will find the Sherman Oaks Galleria and several mid-rise office towers. Sherman Oaks is also home to Westfield Fashion Square which is located on Riverside Dr between Woodman Ave and Hazeltine Ave, giving the area a large selection of shopping options within a few square miles. With many walkable food and shopping options available to residents, there is also great access to outdoor activities via the Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Recreation Center located between Hazeltine Ave and Van Nuys Blvd. Sherman Oaks has an estimated population of over 65,000 residents.

Brief History

Sherman Oaks was founded in 1927 after Gen. Moses Hazeltine Sherman sub-divided 1000 acres to create Sherman Oaks. The boundaries of the area grew several times over the years as more neighborhoods petitioned to align themselves with the more desirable area.

Neighborhoods and Real Estate

Sherman Oaks offers a broad mix of single-family homes and condos & townhouses. Along with its Ventura Corridor neighbor of Studio City to the east, being “South of the Boulevard” in Sherman Oaks carries a certain cache for its residents. The main artery that winds up the Hills of Sherman Oaks is Beverly Glen Blvd to Mulholland Dr. On either side of Beverly Glen Blvd you will find Deervale-Stone Canyon Park and Fossil Ridge Park, both of which give homes overlooking these areas undeveloped hillside and Valley views. Other notable areas of Sherman Oaks include the upscale Chandler Estates, which runs along Chandler Blvd between Fulton Ave and Hazeltine Ave. These large lot estate homes became part of Sherman Oaks in 1991. Moving south you will find many other popular sub-divisions including the Fashion Square neighborhood, which is directly across the street of Westfield Fashion Square off Riverside Dr. Just east of there you will find Hidden Woods which is popular for its William Mellenthin designed birdhouse homes which began development in the 1930’s. Mellenthin homes are known for their birdhouse features above the garage, diamond pane windows and red brick fireplaces. And just east from there is the Sherman Village Condo Complex which is a collection of over 100 condos built in 1984 along the bank of the LA River and Moorpark St. Moving back west, other popular neighborhoods include Library Square which has great walkability to the Pacific Theatres Sherman Oaks 5, Best Buy and Gelson’s. Opposite of Library Square on the west side of Van Nuys is North of the Village, which enjoys similar proximity to amenities. Moving to the north side of the LA River is the Ernie’s Walk neighborhood named after Ernie La Mere, a local retiree who began efforts to revitalize a 0.3 mile path of the LA River in 1987, which features river rock seating walls, and local vegetation. Valleyheart, West Sherman Oaks and Magnolia Woods round out the western border of Sherman Oaks. Most neighborhoods in Sherman Oaks have a mix of single family homes on inner streets and condos & townhouses running down main streets. Sherman Oaks has also become a prime area for mansionization, with many local residents spearheading efforts to curb overdevelopment or “McMansions” from taking over the curb appeal of an area. Not all efforts have worked and new construction can be found in most areas of Sherman Oaks. Proximity to the 101, 405 Freeways, and Sepulveda Blvd, make Sherman Oaks a prime area for people looking for suburban type living who have to travel often via the Sepulveda Pass to the Westside.
For buyers looking for condos and townhouses, or just more affordable real estate in the area, Sherman Oaks offers a wide array of options between Ventura Blvd and the 101 Freeway. There are many condo and townhouse options running east to west along these thoroughfares. As well just north along Magnolia Blvd, and east with the Sherman Village Condo Complex.